Appeals process changes

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is revising its appeals process for the benefits it administers and for child maintenance cases. The revised approach focuses on:

• preventing disputes;

• reducing the escalation of disputes;

• resolving disputes; and

• learning from disputes.

The following changes are being introduced:

Mandatory reconsideration

When a person receives a decision from DWP that they dispute, they will have to request that the Department conducts a mandatory reconsideration before being allowed to lodge an appeal. This reform aims to resolve more disputes at an earlier stage and help ensure that people receive their correct entitlement earlier.

Direct lodgement

People who want to appeal after mandatory reconsideration will need to send their appeal directly to HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS). This change will align the appeals process for the Social Security and child maintenance jurisdiction with the other major tribunal jurisdictions within HMCTS. It will allow DWP to focus on its key role as a party to appeals.

Mandatory reconsideration and direct lodgement will be introduced in April 2013 for Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment and October 2013 for all other DWP administered benefits and child maintenance cases.